Press Release

AMERICA’S GREAT OUTDOORS: Salazar, Vilsack Announce Members of Wildlife and Hunting Heritage Conservation Council

08/17/2012

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the appointments of 18 members of the Wildlife and Hunting Heritage Conservation Council, an advisory group they established in 2010 to advise them on wildlife conservation, habitat conservation, and hunting.

“During its inaugural term, members of the Council provided important recommendations on conserving wildlife habitat and water resources that are so important to America's hunting and angling heritage, as well as enhancing access to the great outdoors,” said Salazar. “I am confident that today’s appointments will provide a strong voice to the nation’s conservation and sportsmen communities and ensure that the next generation enjoys a thriving wildlife heritage.”

“America’s rural communities and rural economies depend on healthy soil, water and air and America’s hunters and anglers – our nation’s first conservationists – have long fought to conserve those precious resources,” said Vilsack. “These appointees are uniquely qualified to advise us on the full range of issues addressed by the Council while reflecting the true conservation spirit of our nation’s outdoor traditions.”

The secretaries announced the appointment of the following individuals to serve on the council for a three-year term:

Christine Thomas (College of Natural Resources, University of Wisconsin)

George Thornton (National Wild Turkey Federation)

John Tomke (Ducks Unlimited)

Howard Vincent (Pheasants Forever)

Steve Williams (Wildlife Management Institute)

The council is an official advisory group established under the Federal Advisory Committee Act that helps promote and preserve America's wildlife and hunting heritage for future generations. It provides advice about conservation endeavors that: benefit wildlife resources; encourage partnership among the public, the sporting conservation organizations, the states, Native American tribes, and the Federal Government; and benefit recreational hunting.

The six federal agencies playing a key role in supporting and maintaining America's outdoors heritage – the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, Natural Resource Conservation Service, and Farm Service Agency – and the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, will also appoint organizational members to the council.